Additional Programs

A Holistic Model of Service
Global Brigades provides communities with a multi-disciplinary approach to development.  It is not enough to just provide medical services, but address the systemic issues that keep these villages in poverty.  As such, we are seeking volunteers from many areas of study to apply their skills and improve the quality of life in our communities.  Below is a complete list of the various brigades that we conduct in Central America:

 

• Public Health Brigades
  
• Empowers under resourced communities in the developing world to decrease life threatening diseases by improving home infrastructure and providing public health education. Working side-by-side with community members, PHB volunteers improve the overall infrastructure within the home through the construction of four projects: eco-stoves, latrines, water storage units and concrete floors. The four projects were chosen based on observations of medical brigade patient records, which illustrated high levels of respiratory, chagas and other preventable diseases caused by poor in-home health infrastructure.  Between brigades our in-country team provides follow-up to ensure the maintenance of the structures and work to find funding that will compliment the health goals of the community to perpetuate future construction. 
  
  For more information, visit www.PHbrigades.org or contact Joy@globalbrigades.org.
  

• Dental Brigades
  

• Provides urgent and preventive dental services in communities with limited access to healthcare.  In conjunction with our sister program, Global Medical Brigades, 80 groups of passionate volunteers systematically travel to Central America to establish mobile dental clinics in 80 of our community partners.  Each of our community partners receives a brigade every 3 to 4 months where hundreds of patients are treated with fillings, cleanings and extractions, and are given dental hygiene workshops. Between brigades, our in-country team maintains relationships with the communities to provide follow-up to insure any dental procedures were successful and to conduct community health worker trainings to empower local leaders to perpetuate a consistent level of dental care. 

  For more information, please contact kate@globalbrigades.org or visit DentalBrigades.org.  

• Micro-Finance Brigades
  
• Provides poverty-stricken communities in the developing world with the educational, financial, and organizational resources necessary to sustainably drive their own economic development.  MFB volunteers help the under resourced in remote villages build their own businesses, ensure against emergencies, and fund community projects.  By partnering with other international organizations in microfinance and agriculture, MFB provides the financial backing technical support to create and strengthen independent community banks. As mechanisms for social and economic change, these banks are then empowered to perpetuate other community projects facilitated by Global Brigades volunteers. This grass-roots approach advances communities away from dependence on outside aid and towards self-reliance.
  
  For more information, email Michelle Menclewicz at Merrilee@globalbrigades.org.
  

• Water Brigades
  
• Designs and implements water systems to prevent communicable illnesses in communities with limited access to clean water. Our current focus is in Central America where hundreds of student volunteers and engineers travel annually to implement our community-based water projects with our local partners. Our in-country team members work with water experts and community leaders to design large scale water systems for the entire community. Once the water system is blueprinted, volunteers work side-by-side with community members to implement and provide the education for maintenance through the creation of “community water counsels.” Between brigades our in-country team insures that the water counsels are functioning and have the necessary funding to perpetuate the longevity of the systems created. 
  
  For more information, visit www.waterbrigades.org or contact Orion@globalbrigades.org.
  

• Architecture Brigades
  
• Designs and constructs socially responsible and sustainable architecture solutions in developing nations. A think tank design approach that utilizes extensive community dialogue and independent research to create efficient, appropriate, and elegant structures to be embraced and utilized by those for whom they were built. 
  
  For more information, visit www.architecturebrigades.org or contact johncunningham@globalbrigades.org.
  

• Environmental Brigades
  
• Develops sustainable environmental solutions to mitigate ecological degradation in bio-rich, but economically disadvantaged communities in developing countries. In conjunction with communities and other international organizations, GEB identifies and develops environmental projects that foster sustainable development.  Environmental Brigades develops strategies to address the socio-economic challenges that link to resource depletion and by providing education to community members on the importance of preservation while expanding their farms or businesses. Projects include native species reforestation, energy-efficient design, environmental curriculum implementation, eco-tourism and organic agriculture extension.
  
  For more information, visit www.globalbrigades.org/projects/environmental or contact Anna@globalbrigades.org.
  

• Law Brigades
• Global Law Brigades (GLB) is a secular, international network of pre-law students and legal professionals who travel to developing regions to learn how domestic and international laws relate to human rights concerns, and implement socially and environmentally responsible solutions while respecting local culture.  Participants will also have opportunities to build relationships and partner with a broad array of legal, environmental, micro-enterprise, and public health organizations. Our first Law Brigade is being piloted in Costa Rica in January 2009 by the University of Washington.  Interests lists are now forming. 
  
  For more information, contact Diane@globalbrigades.org.

• Business Brigades
  
• Provides business consulting and strategic investment to support under resourced microenterprises in developing countries while respecting local culture and improving the environment.  Our current focus is in remote and rural communities in Panama where we partner with other local development organizations to assess, implement and monitor sustainable development projects in 15 partner communities.  The business brigade volunteers serve as a catalyst to the development projects, providing consulting methodologies, financial workshops and “capital investment,” a monetary donation to the project to improve profitability or social impact.  Between brigades our in-country team maintains relationships with the partner organizations and communities to provide follow-up and measure outcomes.    
  
  For more information, visit www.BusinessBrigades.org or email Michelle Menclewicz at menclewicz@globalbrigades.org. 

Cultural Excursion Trips
After your brigade, set off for some real Mayan culture in the charming colonial city of Copan.  The trips include a two-night stay in Honduras' most famous colonial city, where you will get to relax, explore the Mayan ruins, or ride the zip lines over the Copan Valley.  You will be accommodated at the four-star Camino Maya hotel, where a delicious Honduran breakfast provides energy for an exciting day of sightseeing, activities, or souvenir shopping.  

 

• Trip Itinerary
• Day 1
  Scenic drive to Copan
  Welcome gathering and traditional Mayan dinner 
  
  Day 2
  Morning excursion to Mayan ruins
  Afternoon ziplining or horseback riding (optional)
  Visit tropical bird park (optional)
  
  Day 3
  Morning sightseeing and souvenir shopping
  Afternoon return flight to US
  
  For more information, contact travel@globalbrigades.org.

Approximate price per person: $375 USD for three days; $425 USD for four days. Price includes: Round-trip ground transportation, daily continental breakfast, Copan Ruins National Park entrance fee and luxury accommodation.